Expect your tax rebate starting May 2

With the organized precision to be expected from a tax agency, the Internal Revenue Service has announced its schedule for disbursing 130 million “economic stimulus payments.” That’s the $600-$1,200 rebates most tax-payers should be getting this year.

Here’s when you’ll get your rebate check, if you file your federal tax return by the April 15 deadline.

If you sign up for direct deposit on your tax return, find the last two digits of your Social Security number to determine when the tax rebate will be deposited into your account:
00 – 20, May 2
21 – 75, May 9
76 – 99, May 16

If you didn’t sign up for direct deposit, expect a paper check in the mail during these dates, according to the last two digits of your Social Security number:
00 – 09, May 16
10 – 18, May 23
19 – 25, May 30
26 – 38, June 6
39 – 51, June 13
52 – 63, June 20
64 – 75, June 27
76 – 87, July 4
88 – 99, July 11

On jointly filed returns, the Social Security number listed first will determine when you’ll get your rebate. As you can see, there’s incentive to choose direct deposit; you’ll get both your rebate and your refund faster.

You must file a tax return before you can get your rebate. If you file late, the IRS says you’ll get your rebate check about two weeks after you get your refund but no earlier than you would have under the chart above had you not procrastinated. And all rebate checks will arrive separate from your tax refund, in case you’re expecting one.